Technology featured in Science Fiction is becoming more and more the technology of today.
Amazon has recently announced the Amazon Echo.
In a nutshell—or rather a black tube—this is Amazon’s take on Siri.
It’s an incredible Internet of things kind of device that is always present in your home, waiting and listening for its next command—all the while connected to the Internet.
Take a look:
The Amazon Echo
http://youtu.be/KkOCeAtKHIc
I wonder how many will name their Echo ‘HAL‘ or ‘Rosie‘?
In concept, this seems like a really cool new fixture to have in your home. It’s especially cool for Amazon, and makes ‘Googling it’ as easy as the spoken word—assuming it listens better than Siri. In this concept video, everything is picture perfect. But as any mother who is in the middle of cooking with her kids around can testify, the chances of the Echo hearing her cooking questions is slim to none.
With most technology, it gets better with time. So for argument sake, let’s say the Echo works as good as it shows in the video and that it can still take commands in a busy and bustling home.
Do we want ‘The Cloud’ or ‘The Internet’ always listening in?
The number one concern I have with this kind of ‘evasive’ tech that is always on and never off, is privacy. The Amazon Echo is always listening, and while we have total control as to whether we turn it off or no, we do not always have control over who is on the listening end.
Call me crazy or a the leader of the tin-foil hat brigade, but this kind of ‘1984’ enabling tech makes me a little nervous…
David says
I couldn’t agree more Eric.
Eric Dye says
🙂